Boulder is a great town to develop your artistic talents, and there are plenty of open mics, jam nights and poetry readings to get you on your way.
Lots of local bands and writers got their stage experiences in Boulder, so here’s a guide to help you find the right place to show off your stuff.
Conor O’Neills
Where: 1922 13th St., Boulder
When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays
Phone: 303-449-1922
Web: conoroneills.com
One of Boulder’s longest-lasting open mic nights takes place every Tuesday at Conor O’Neill’s pub.
Boulder musician Danny Shafer runs the night, and the weekly music event lets artists of all levels try out their tunes on local audiences.
Johnny’s Cigar Bar
Where: 1801 13th St., Boulder
When: 7:30 p.m. Mondays
Phone: 303-449-0884
Web: johnnyscigars.com
Johnny’s Cigar Bar has undergone a new change with its open mic nights.
The club had been hosting a virtual open mic night, but this semester, the nights will take a new twist.
Dechen Hawk is a well-known local musician and he is now hosting the four-hour open mic nights that take place every Monday at the cigar bar.
Rock N Soul Cafe
Where: 5290 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
When: 7:30 p.m. Mondays
Phone: 303-443-5108
Web: rocknsoulcafe.com
The Rock N Soul Cafe has a long-running open mic night that steps up into full gear again this fall.
Most Monday nights, the cafe hosts an open mic night. Occasionally, the venue throws in a special open mic/karaoke jam night.
Abo’s on the Hill
Where: 1124 13th St., Boulder
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Phone: 303-443-3199
Web: abosonthehill.com
Abo’s on the Hill has gotten into the open jam mode.
However, this pizza place prefers to hold its jam bluegrass-style. Every Thursday, Abo’s hosts its weekly bluegrass pick.
This is a great place to show off your twang skills and meet other performers.
Boulder Outlook Hotel
Where: 800 28th St.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sundays
Phone: 303-443-3322
If you want to show off your blues and jam skills, then head over to the Boulder Outlook Hotel.
The hotel offers several opportunities a week for musicians to show off their skills.
Every Sunday, the Outlook features alternating blues and jazz jam nights. Then, the Boulder Blues Club jam takes place several Mondays a month, and there’s another blues jam that runs several Tuesdays a month.
Laughing Goat Coffeehouse
Where: 1709 Pearl St., Boulder
When: 8 p.m. Mondays
Phone: 303-440-4628
Web: thelaughinggoat.com
Student poets and locals can try out their rhymes at the Laughing Goat’s weekly poetry reading.
Newbies and professional poets show off their works every Monday night at this long-running event. In fact, this poetry reading is held every week — rain, shine or holidays.
Boulder Draft House
Where: 2027 13th St., Boulder
When: 4:30 p.m. Mondays
Phone: 303-440-5858
Locals that need more Boulder bluegrass action, always head over to the Boulder Draft House.
That’s because the pub hosts its Bluegrass Pick every Monday. The picking party runs from 5 to 7 p.m.
Outback Saloon
Where: 3141 28th St., Boulder
When: 9 p.m. Thursdays
Phone: 303-444-0081
Web: outbacksaloon.net
The Outback Saloon on 28th Street has also become part of Boulder’s open mic scene.
The saloon’s inviting artists to bring their own instruments — or use ones provided by the Outback. The venue’s open mic night is held every Thursday.
Oskar Blues Lyons
Where: 303 Main St., Lyons
When: 7:30 p.m. Mondays
Phone: 303-823-6685
Web: oskarblues.com
Oskar Blues in Lyons hosts an Open stage every Thursday and a weekly bluegrass pick on Tuesdays.
Oskar Blues Longmont
Where: 1555 S. Hover Road , Longmont
When: 7:30 p.m. Mondays
Phone: 303-458-9400
Web: oskarblues.com
Meanwhile, the Oskar Blues in Longmont hosts an electric blues jam every Monday.
Waterloo Icehouse
Where: 809 S. Main St., Louisville
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays
Phone: 303-303-993-2094
Finally, the Waterloo Icehouse in nearby Louisville features an acoustic open mic night every Thursday.
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